Social and Cognitive Sciences Graduate Group
Social and Cognitive Sciences is a currently approved emphasis under the Individual Graduate Program (IGP). This graduate emphasis offers students individualized training and the opportunity to help build a unique, interdisciplinary research community. Graduate study within Social and Cognitive Sciences is currently organized as four tracks: anthropology, economics, political science, and sociology. Students are educated in a particular discipline, but have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research and collaboration if they so desire. Graduate study at UC Merced will involve working closely with one or more professors, so prospective applicants should carefully consult the faculty list for current research topics.
- Anthropology. This track explores contemporary and historical cultures, societies and people by studying the practices and processes that entwine the individual in their natural and cultural environments, social structures, social relations, and power dynamics. Areas of focus include adaptation, health and nutritional status, migration, demography, identity, culture and citizenship, and globalization. Geographical areas of focus include Brazil, California, Great Basin, El Salvador, Himalayas, Mesoamerica. Faculty: Aldenderfer, DeLugan, Hull, Moyes, Rebhun.
- Economics. This track provides training in such applied microeconomic fields as environmental economics, political economy, industrial organization, public economics, law and economics, and economic history. Faculty: Innes, Kantor, Neumann, Whalley.
- Political Science. This track provides training in quantitative approaches to political science. Students select between two substantive tracks: political cognition and behavior (CAB) and political institutions and political economy (PIPE). In addition, all students are required to take a core methods sequence including research design, introductory regression, and advanced regression analysis as well as a research practicum. Faculty: Hansford, Hibbing, Huang, Monroe, Nicholson, Trounstine.
- Sociology. The sociology track offers training in three primary areas of specialization: inequality (race, class, gender and sexuality); political sociology and social movements; and organizations and institutions. Faculty: Almeida, Beattie, Dodson, Hamilton, Van Dyke, Weffer.